Video equipment platforms and related methods

The present disclosure relates generally to video equipment and, in particular, to platforms for video equipment and related methods.

Currently available video camera platforms include telescoping columns, in which column elements extend and retract within each other. Such platforms have a base height, and accordingly a lowest camera position or shot height, that is dictated by the lower column element height. This makes it very difficult to have low shots, due to the lower column element height, and may also make high shots difficult as well. For example, three-piece columns are the most common, so reaching high shots requires longer column sections, which in turn impacts lowest shot height.

Fixed column architectures are possible, but have significant manufacturing challenges, and are not easily maneuverable between studios (standard doors) if they are designed to reach high shots for which camera height may be 2.0 m or higher. In addition, fixed architectures provide for either high shots or low shots, and not both.

Multi-joint robotic arms are illustrative of another possible type of architecture, but tend to be complex and expensive, and have limited weight carrying capabilities.

It remains a challenge to provide video equipment platforms that can support smooth motion over a wide range of heights, to allow for a greater range of on-air shots.

In certain video equipment applications or usage scenarios such as camera robotics, smooth motion over as wide a range as possible is desirable. Embodiments disclosed herein can provide for both low and high shots, with architectures that avoid limitations of telescoping column platforms and fixed platforms and are less complex than multi-joint robot arm architectures.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a video equipment platform includes a support structure, a movable frame, a video equipment cradle, and a drive system. The movable frame is coupled to and movable relative to the support structure. The video equipment cradle is coupled to and movable relative to the movable frame, to carry video equipment from within the movable frame. The drive system is coupled to the support structure, to the movable frame, and to the video equipment cradle, to move both the movable frame relative to the support structure and the video equipment cradle relative to the movable frame.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method that involves providing a video equipment platform support structure, providing a movable frame coupled to and movable relative to the support structure, providing a video equipment cradle, coupled to and movable relative to the movable frame, to carry video equipment from within the movable frame, and providing a drive system. The drive system is coupled to the support structure, to the movable frame, and to the video equipment cradle, to move both the movable frame relative to the support structure and the video equipment cradle relative to the movable frame.

A method according to a further aspect of the present disclosure involves mounting video equipment to a video equipment cradle that is coupled to and movable relative to a movable frame of a video equipment platform. The video equipment cradle carries the video equipment from within the movable frame, and the movable frame is coupled to and movable relative to a support structure of the video equipment platform. Such a method may also involve controlling a drive system that is coupled to the support structure, to the movable frame, and to the video equipment cradle, to move both the movable frame relative to the support structure and the video equipment cradle relative to the movable frame.

Other aspects and features of embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following description.

Embodiments disclosed herein include, among others, platforms and methods related to video equipment. Examples of video equipment include video cameras, video displays, and prompters. Although potential benefits or advantages such as wide range of motion and shot height range may be particularly useful for video cameras, video equipment platforms as disclosed herein are not limited to any particular type of video equipment, or to only one piece of video equipment.

A video equipment platform may also or instead be referred to as a lift system or a lift on a base or dolly, for example. Embodiments are described herein primarily with reference to platforms, but other names may also or instead be used herein or elsewhere.

Some embodiments provide a multiple-stage platform, which includes a fixed stage and a translating stage. Such a platform may also or instead be described as a telescoping platform or lift. A fixed stage provides support for a translating stage, and accordingly is also referred to herein as a support structure. A translating stage is also referred to herein as a movable frame.

A video equipment cradle carries video equipment and is movable in tandem with the movable frame. Such a cradle is supported by the movable frame and moves with the movable frame, and is further movable relative to the movable frame.

A drive system, which may also or instead be referred to as a drive for example, is provided to move both a movable frame (relative to a support structure) and a video equipment cradle (relative to the movable frame).

100 1 8 FIGS.to These features, and others, are described in further detail and by way of example herein, with reference to the drawings. Views of an example video equipment platformare shown in.

100 120 110 130 110 120 130 110 120 130 6 8 FIGS.to The example video equipment platformis illustrative of a platform that includes a support structure, a movable frame, and a video equipment cradle. The movable frameis coupled to and movable relative to the support structure, and the video equipment cradleis coupled to and movable relative to the movable frame. Such movement of the movable framerelative to the support structureand movement of the video equipment cradlerelative to the movable frame are perhaps most clearly evident from the views shown in, which are described further below.

130 249 110 2 FIG. The video equipment cradleis provided to carry video equipment (shown by way of example as a video camerain) from within the movable frame. This is one unique aspect of video equipment platforms as disclosed herein. In telescoping column video camera platforms and fixed column architectures referenced above, a video camera is carried at a top of a column rather than from within a frame, and column size limits a lowest camera position and shot height. Multi-joint robotic arms carry a video camera at an end of an arm rather than within any sort of frame, and as such, multi-joint robot arm architectures may require more space for articulation to move a video camera through a full range of motion.

130 110 100 Another potential benefit of the video equipment cradlecarrying the video equipment from within the movable frameis that the video equipment platformcan be move evenly balanced, from front to rear. If a payload is carried at the front or rear of a frame or support structure, for example, then a counterweight or other element may be needed to compensate for imbalance and improve stability.

110 110 110 249 110 110 130 246 242 242 2 3 FIGS.and 4 5 FIGS.and 2 FIG. This feature of carrying video equipment from within the movable framemay also be described as supporting the video equipment from within the movable frame, or carrying or supporting the video equipment within the movable frame. This may, but need not necessarily, mean that the video equipment is fully located within the movable frame. As used herein, carrying or supporting the video equipment within or from within the movable frameis intended to convey the notion that the video equipment is carried such that it is at least partially located within the movable frame. This is perhaps most clearly shown in, in which the video camerais carried not only between sides and ends of the movable frame, and in, in which the video camera is also carried such that it is partially within a front-to-rear extent of the movable frame. Put another way, a point or base of support for the video equipment is at least partially within the movable frame, where side members of the video equipment cradle(one of which is labelledin) are coupled to brackets,for example.

110 210 212 214 216 214 216 210 212 214 216 210 212 214 216 210 212 2 FIG. 2 FIG. The movable frameincludes linear side rails,(, for example) that are opposed to each other and extend parallel to each other, and linear end rails,(also shown in, for example) that are opposed to each other. The linear end rails,extend parallel to each other, between ends of the linear side rails,. In the example shown, the linear end rails,extend inside the linear side rails,. In other embodiments, the linear end rails,may extend across ends of the linear side rails,, or corner frame brackets form the corners of the frame and the side rails and the end rails do not extend past each other. The side rails and end rails may be coupled together in any of various ways, using fasteners, brackets, cooperating structures integrated with any or all of the side rails and the end rails, welded connections, and so on.

120 310 312 212 210 110 210 212 110 312 310 120 3 FIG. 11 13 FIGS.to The support structuresimilarly includes linear side rails,(, for example) that are opposed to each other and extend parallel to each other (and parallel to the linear side rails,of the movable frame) and are respectively coupled to the linear side rails of the movable frame. Coupling structures by which the linear side rails,of the movable frameand,of the support structureare coupled together are described by way of example at least below with reference to.

120 110 130 100 210 212 110 A drive system is coupled to the support structure, to the movable frame, and to the video equipment cradle, to move both the movable frame relative to the support structure and the video equipment cradle relative to the movable frame. In the example video equipment platform, the drive system includes a belt drive at a first end (the bottom end in the example shown) of the linear side rails,of the movable frame, a belt idler at a second end (the top end in the example shown) of the linear side rails of the movable frame, and belt extending between the belt drive and the belt idler and coupled to the support structure and to the video equipment cradle.

222 224 232 234 210 212 110 120 130 140 Herein, references to components at ends of the linear side rails do not restrict embodiments to such components being directly mounted to ends of the rails. Although the pulleys,,,are shown by way of example in the drawings as being mounted to the ends of the linear side rails,, other embodiments are contemplated. It is intended that location of components at the ends of rails encompasses other arrangements in which such components are toward, adjacent to, or proximate to the ends of rails, without necessarily being directly mounted to or the ends of the rails. This also applies more generally to descriptions of component locations relative to other components or parts thereof, such as at an end, side, front, rear, top, or bottom of a linear rail, the movable frame, the support structure, the video equipment cradle, the base, or any other component of a video equipment platform.

210 212 110 226 216 226 110 130 2 FIG. The belt drive at the first end of the linear side rails,may include a drive motor that is mounted to the movable frame. A drive motoris shown, for example, and is mounted to the end railin the example shown. The drive motormay be mounted outside (as shown) or inside the movable frame, but outside mounting of the drive motor may be preferred so that the video equipment cradlehas a greater range of motion inside the movable frame.

224 234 210 212 224 234 226 224 234 226 110 224 234 226 224 234 110 2 FIG. The belt drive may also include a respective drive pulley,(, for example) at the first end of each of the linear side rails,of the movable frame. The drive pulleys,may be attached to an axle, which may be a rotor shaft of the drive motor, or may be coupled to a rotor or shaft of the motor indirectly, through gears or another form of a transmission for example. The axle for the drive pulleys,may be coupled to the movable frame, by respective bearings or by respective brackets with bearings for example, so that the drive pulleys can be driven by the drive motorand can rotate relative to the movable frame. In the case of the axle for the drive pulleys,being the rotor shaft of the drive motor, the axle may or may not also be coupled to the movable frame if the rotor shaft is able to support the drive pulleys,without additional structural reinforcement provided by coupling the axle to the movable frame.

110 222 232 210 212 222 232 236 236 222 232 236 236 222 232 110 The belt idler at the top of the movable framemay include a respective idler pulley,at the second end of each of the linear side rails,of the movable frame. Each of the idler pulleys,is coupled to an axle, at ends thereof, in the example shown. In some embodiments, the axleis a fixed axle and the idler pulleys,are rotatably coupled to the axle, by respective bearings for example, so that the idler pulleys are rotatable relative to the axle. The axlemay instead be rotatable with the idler pulleys,and be rotatably coupled to (and rotatable relative to) the movable frame.

237 239 236 110 236 236 110 237 239 210 212 214 2 FIG. The coupling elements,shown in incouple the axleto the movable frame, and may be brackets in the case of a fixed axle, or may be or include bearings if the axleis to be rotatable relative to the movable frame. In the example shown, each of the coupling elements,is coupled to the end of a respective one of the linear side rails,, but the axle may also or instead be coupled to the linear end railin other embodiments, by one or more coupling elements.

110 210 212 Similar or different coupling elements may be used to couple the drive pulley axle to the movable frame, at the other end of each of the linear side rails,.

236 110 236 214 216 The idler pulley axleand the drive pulley axle are outside the movable framein the example shown. In other embodiments, one or both of these axles may be coupled to the movable frame differently than shown. For example, the idler pulley axlemay instead extend through the linear end railto reduce vertical height of a video equipment platform. The drive pulley axle may also or instead extend through the linear end rail.

110 210 212 214 216 In other embodiments, drive pulleys and/or idler pulleys may be individually coupled to the movable framewithout a common axle. Pulleys may be mounted to the linear side rails,and/or the linear end rails,, inside or outside the movable frame, for example.

100 220 230 110 220 224 222 210 110 230 234 232 212 110 2 FIG. A drive system may include one or more belts extending between a belt drive and a belt idler. In the example video equipment platform, the drive system includes a belt,at each side of the movable frame, extending between a belt drive at the bottom of the movable frame and a belt idler at the top of the movable frame. With reference to, for example, the beltextends between one of the drive pulleysat the first (bottom) end and one of the idler pulleysat the second (top) end of one of the linear side railsof the movable frame. A second beltextends between one of the drive pulleysat the first end and one of the idler pulleysat the second end of the other of the linear side railsof the movable frame.

220 230 130 242 244 120 220 230 130 120 2 FIG. 9 10 FIGS.and Each belt,is coupled to the video equipment cradle, via respective brackets,as shown in, for example, and is also coupled to the support structure. Coupling structures by which the belts,may be coupled to the video equipment cradleand to the support structureare described by way of example at least below with reference to.

100 110 120 210 312 212 310 226 110 220 230 The example video equipment platformis illustrative of a two-stage (fixed and movable) platform, with a motor actuated drive belt system moving the second stage with respect to the first. The movable frameis guided up and down the support structureby means of interconnected linear rails,and,, by the drive motormounted to the movable frame, and a synchronous drive belt system includes two belts,, each coupled to the support structure at a respective single point or location.

130 220 230 130 210 212 110 Video equipment is an example of a payload that is mounted to or otherwise carried by a cradle, which is itself coupled to the same drive belt system, at a single location or part on each belt,in the example shown. The video equipment cradle, and accordingly the video equipment that is carried by the cradle, are guided up and down the linear side rails,of the movable frame.

130 110 120 130 110 130 110 120 130 110 130 110 120 6 FIG. 8 FIG. 7 FIG. The video equipment cradleand the video equipment that is carried by the cradle will be at lowest positions toward the bottom of the movable framewhen the movable frame it is at its lowest position with respect to the support structure, as shown by way of example in. The lowest positions of the video equipment cradleand the video equipment may be described as the movable framebeing retracted. The video equipment cradleand the video equipment that is carried by the cradle will be at highest potions toward the top of the movable framewhen the movable frame is at its highest possible point with respect to the support structure, as shown by way of example in. The highest positions of the video equipment cradleand the video equipment may be described as the movable framebeing fully extended and the movable frame, the video equipment cradle, and the video equipment having reached their respective highest positions. The video equipment cradleand the video equipment that is carried by the cradle will be at intermediate positions between the top and bottom of the movable framewhen the movable frame is at an intermediate position with respect to the support structure, as shown by way of example in.

220 230 130 120 110 130 220 230 220 230 110 120 130 130 120 With each belt,coupled to the video equipment cradleand the support structureas shown, the video equipment cradle and the video equipment that is carried by the cradle will move vertically with respect to the support structure at twice the rate of movement of the movable frame. The rate of movement of the video equipment cradleand the video equipment that is carried by the cradle is also twice the rate at which the belts,are driven. Driving each belt,at a drive rate moves the movable framerelative to the support structureat the drive rate, and also moves the video equipment cradleand the video equipment that it carries relative to the movable structure at the drive rate. Therefore, the rate of movement of the video equipment cradleand the video equipment that is carried by the cradle relative to the support structureis twice the drive rate.

110 130 Such a belt drive system provides for smooth motion in a range between lowest positions and highest positions of the movable frame, the video equipment cradle, and the video equipment, driven from one drive motor or other actuator.

100 The example video equipment platformand its operation are described generally by way of example above. Other features that may be provided in embodiments are described in further detail below.

220 230 130 120 910 230 310 910 220 312 120 220 230 9 FIG. 10 FIG. 9 FIG. 9 FIG. 1 8 FIGS.- Each of the belts,may be coupled to the video equipment cradleand to the support structure, and in some embodiments respective belt clamps couple each belt to these components.is an assembled view of an example belt clamp, andis an exploded view of the example belt clamp in. The example belt clampis shown inas coupling the beltto the linear side railof the support structure. A belt clamp that is the same as or substantially similar to the example belt clampmay also or instead couple the beltto the other side railof the support structureshown in. Such a belt clamp may also or instead couple a belt, such as each of the belts,for example, to a video equipment cradle.

9 FIG. 2 FIG. 2 FIG. 910 912 914 916 230 910 310 230 912 914 910 220 312 With reference first to, the example belt clamp(also labelled in) includes multiple parts,that are coupled together by fastenersto clamp and hold the belt. The belt clampis coupled to the linear side rail, and thus couples the beltto the linear side rail when the parts,are coupled together to clamp and hold the belt. Another belt clamp is shown opposite the belt clampin, to couple the beltto the linear side rail.

10 FIG. 10 FIG. 912 914 230 912 The exploded view inillustrates how the belt clamp parts,may be coupled together to hold the belt, or decoupled to release the belt. In order to provide a clear view of the part, the belt is not shown in.

912 916 1010 912 912 310 916 1010 310 912 310 1012 912 914 912 The partmay be referred to, for example, as a bracket, a mounting plate, or backing plate. The fastenersmay be received in and pass through the boresin the partto couple the partto the linear side rail. In an embodiment, the fastenersare threaded fasteners that pass through the boresand are received in aligned threaded bores in the linear side rail. A separate fastener (not shown) may also or instead be used to couple the partto the linear side railthrough the bore, so that the partremains coupled to the linear side rail when the partis separated or entirely detached from the part.

914 916 1020 914 914 912 310 916 1020 1010 912 912 310 916 1020 1010 310 916 230 916 914 The partmay be referred to, for example, as a clamping plate. The fastenerspass through boresin the partto couple the partto the partor to the linear side rail. For example, the fastenersmay be threaded fasteners that pass through the boresand are received in threaded boresin the part, and the partis separately coupled to the linear side rail. In another embodiment, the fastenersare threaded fasteners that pass through the boresandand are received in aligned threaded bores in the linear side rail. Tightening the fastenersincreases clamping force on the belt, and thus increases holding power to avoid slippage of the belt. Loosening the fastenersdecreases clamping force to provide for belt adjustment or removal of the partfor belt installation, removal, and replacement for example.

9 FIG. 9 FIG. 1022 230 914 1022 910 A belt may have smooth surfaces as shown in, or profiled surfaces. A common form of belt, for example, has a profiled drive surface with belt teeth that are to engage pulley teeth on a drive pulley. Idler pulleys may or may not also have pulley teeth. A belt clamp may also have a profiled surface as shown by way of example at, with teeth to engage belt teeth and improve holding power to resist belt slippage. With reference also to, the surface of the beltthat faces the partmay be a profiled surface with belt teeth to engage teeth on a drive pulley, and in that case the teeth of the profiled surfaceengage the belt teeth when the belt clampis assembled.

A toothed belt, or more generally a belt with a profiled surface, may be beneficial to reduce drive slippage during driving by a drive pulley that has a corresponding profiled drive surface, and also to reduce slippage at coupling locations or parts at which the belt is coupled to a support structure and a video equipment cradle. However, in other embodiments friction between smooth belt surfaces and smooth surfaces on drive pulleys and belt clamps may be sufficient for driving and/or holding a belt. Although it is expected that belts and at least drive pulleys with profiled surfaces will be preferred in most applications, it is possible that belts and drive pulleys with smooth surfaces may be used in some embodiments.

914 1022 914 1022 914 1022 Belt clamps may or may not have parts with profiled surfaces. For example, it is expected that a partwith a profiled surface such asmatching a profiled surface of a belt will be preferred for improved holding power in embodiments that include a belt with a profiled surface. However, a part such aswith a profiled surfacemay provide improved holding power relative to a non-profiled part even in conjunction with a belt that has a smooth surface. In such embodiments, teeth or other structures of the profiled surface may compress parts of the smooth belt surface to improve holding power. Similarly, it is possible that partwith a smooth surface instead of the profiled surfacemay be used in conjunction with a belt that has a profiled surface, in which case teeth or other structures of the profiled belt surface may be compressed by the smooth surface of the belt clamp part.

1016 1016 914 912 910 912 1016 914 912 914 The structuresmay be provided in some embodiments, and may be referred to as extensions or stops, for example. These extensionsmay be useful, for example, in properly locating the partrelative to the partduring assembly of the belt clamp, and/or in properly locating a belt relative to the part. The extensionsmay also provide additional structural support for the partduring operation of a video equipment platform, when a belt is driven to extend the movable frame relative to the support structure in the example shown. Such extensions may also or instead be provided at the opposite end of the part, and/or on the part.

A belt clamp is one example of a component that may be used in some embodiments to couple a belt to another part of a video equipment platform. The present disclosure is not in any way limited to a multi-part structure, or any other form, of a belt clamp. In other embodiments, a belt may be attached to one or more other part of a video equipment platform without using a belt clamp.

110 120 210 212 110 310 312 120 1 8 FIGS.to 11 13 FIGS.to 11 12 FIGS.and 13 FIG. 11 12 FIGS.and As described at least above, the movable frameis coupled to the support structure. For example, the linear side rails,of the movable frameand,of the support structureas shown inmay be coupled together, and an example coupling structure for coupling side rails to each other is shown in.are isometric views of an example coupling structure, andis a bottom cross-sectional view of the example coupling structure shown in.

1110 1110 310 212 1110 312 310 210 212 11 FIG. 2 FIG. 11 13 FIGS.to 2 FIG. A coupling structure, which may also be referred to as a coupler for example, is shown generally atin, and is also labelled in. The coupling structurecouples the linear side railof the support structure to the linear side railof the movable frame. Although only one coupling structureis shown inand labelled in, multiple coupling structures may be provided. For example, a respective coupling structure may couple each of the linear side rails,of the support structure to a respective one of the linear side rails,of the movable frame.

2 FIG. 1110 100 210 312 220 230 120 100 220 230 110 130 120 More than one coupling structure may be provided to couple the same pair of linear side rails together in some embodiments, to improve stability. As shown in, for example, there is another coupling structure below the labelled coupling structure, and two coupling structures at the other side of the example video equipment platformto couple the linear side rails,together. In this example, coupling structures are provided at heights above and below the locations at which each belt,is coupled to the support structure. During operation of the video equipment platform, driving the belts,to raise or lower the movable frameand the video equipment cradlemay tend to rotate the movable frame relative to the support structure, and multiple coupling structures above and below the belt clamps that coupled each belt to the support structure help counteract such rotation for smoother operation and movement of video equipment.

1110 1210 1220 1210 310 1212 1220 212 1220 212 1122 1120 1210 1212 11 13 FIGS.to 12 1214 FIG., The example coupling structureincludes a carriageand a guide rail. A carriage may be referred to as a slide or a slider, and a guide rail may be referred to as a guide, for example. In the example shown, the carriageis coupled to the support structure linear side rail, by fasteners, and the guide railis coupled to the movable side frame linear side rail. The guide railmay be coupled to the linear side railby fasteners, which are not visible in, but may be the same as or substantially as shown atfor the cradle guide rail. Indenotes cutouts in a body of the carriageto accommodate the fastenersduring installation and removal. Such cutouts may or may not be provided in other embodiments, where a carriage has a different shape or otherwise does not require such features to accommodate fasteners for example.

1210 1220 1210 1220 1220 1210 310 212 1210 11 13 FIGS.to More generally, a first component (one of the carriageor the guide rail, for example) may be coupled to a respective one of the linear side rails of the support structure, and a second component (the other of the carriageor the guide rail) may be coupled to a respective one of the linear side rails of the movable frame. In this general example, one of the first component and the second component is received and retained within the other of the first component and the second component to couple the respective one of the linear side rails of the support structure to the respective one of the linear side rails of the movable frame, and is slidable within the other of the first component and the second component to enable the movable frame to move relative to the support structure. This is illustrated by way of example in, in which the guide railis received and retained within the carriageto couple the linear side railof the support structure to the linear side railof the movable frame, and is slidable within the carriageto enable the movable frame to move relative to the support structure.

11 13 FIGS.to 1210 1220 A coupling structure should remain engaged to couple the movable frame and the support structure together throughout the full range of movement of the movable frame. In the example shown in, the carriageshould remain engaged with the guide railthroughout the full range of movement of the movable frame, and accordingly the guide rail is of a length of at least the range of movement of the movable frame plus a dimension of the carriage along the direction of movement. In the case of multiple carriages, there may be multiple corresponding guide rails of that length. A single guide rail may be provided in such an embodiment, with a length of at least the range of movement of the movable frame, plus a dimension of each carriage along the direction of movement, plus a distance between the carriages along the direction of movement.

12 FIG. 12 1230 FIG., 1110 310 310 1210 1230 1110 310 Linear rails may be directly or indirectly coupled to each other.illustrates an embodiment in which the coupling structureis indirectly coupled to the linear side rail. Indesignates an element that may be referred to as a spacer or adapter, for example, that is coupled to the linear side railand to the carriage. The spaceris an example of an intermediate element by which elements may be indirectly coupled to each other. In the example shown, the coupling structureis indirectly coupled to the linear side rail. However, this type of indirect coupling may also or instead be used to couple other elements together.

13 FIG. 1210 1220 910 310 212 illustrates a possible application of such an intermediate element, to accommodate different sizes of coupled elements, which are a coupling structure (including elements,) and the belt clamp. An intermediate element may also or instead be used to provide spacing between coupled elements such as the linear side railand the linear side rail.

14 17 FIGS.to A video equipment cradle is described generally above as carrying video equipment. An example of such a cradle is described in more detail below with reference to, which are isometric views and a front plan view of such a cradle.

14 FIG. 16 FIG. 9 10 FIGS.and 220 230 130 242 244 242 244 1612 1614 1616 1618 1612 1614 1616 1618 242 244 242 244 provides a larger scale view of how each belt,is coupled to the video equipment cradlevia respective brackets,. Each bracket,may include one or more belt clamps, and as shown ineach bracket includes two belt clamps,, and,. These belt clamps,,,are substantially the same as the example belt clamp shown in, except that each belt clamp is part of a video equipment cradle bracket,instead of being coupled to a linear side rail of the support structure. Belt clamp features that are described elsewhere herein may also or instead be implemented in one or more video equipment cradle brackets,.

242 244 242 1410 246 244 248 1412 130 1410 1412 130 1414 1410 1412 1414 2 FIG. 14 1416 FIG., The video equipment cradle brackets,may be substantially identical to each other. In the example shown, however, the bracketis coupled to a side member(also labelledin), whereas the bracketis coupled to an optional tilt systemthat is in turn coupled to an opposite side memberof the video equipment cradle. In other embodiments, identical brackets are coupled to respective side members,. The example video equipment cradlealso includes a bottom member or mounting member, that is coupled to the side members,, and to which video equipment may be mounted or otherwise coupled. Ingenerally represents slots in the bottom member, which may be provided for air circulation to facilitate air cooling of the video equipment and/or for fasteners by which the video equipment or a video equipment mount may be attached to the bottom member.

1120 212 1420 210 1420 1120 242 244 130 210 212 1622 1620 1420 1120 130 248 1620 130 244 1620 11 FIG. 14 FIG. 14 FIG. 16 FIG. 16 FIG. 16 FIG. A video equipment cradle guide railcoupled to the linear side railof the movable frame is shown inand is also labelled in. Another video equipment cradle guide rail, which may similarly be coupled to the opposite linear side railof the movable frame, is also shown in. These guide rails,are parts of respective coupling structures that couple the video equipment cradle brackets,, and thus the video equipment cradle, to the linear side rails,of the movable frame. This is one example of how a video equipment cradle may be coupled to each of the linear side rails of the movable frame. As shown most clearly in, each bracket includes one (at, for example) or more (at, for example) carriages that slide along the cradle guide railsand, respectively, as the video equipment cradlemoves upward and downward. In the example shown in, the bracket that is coupled to the optional tilt systemincludes three carriages, to provide additional vertical stability for the video equipment cradleand help resist rotation of the cradle as a result of any weight imbalance of the tilt system relative to the bracketand/or during tilting of the cradle. Although multiple carriagesare shown in, a similar effect may be provided by fewer carriages, or a longer single carriage.

Features that are described elsewhere herein for linear side rail coupling structures may also or instead be implemented in one or more coupling structures to couple a video equipment cradle to a movable frame. For example, a cradle/movable frame coupling structure may include a first component (a carriage or a guide rail, for example) coupled to one of the movable frame or the video equipment cradle, and a second component (the other of the carriage or the guide rail) coupled to the other of the movable frame and the video equipment cradle, and the first and second components may be consistent with the general example above, in which one of the components is received and retained within and is slidable within the other. In the case of a guide rail and carriage coupling structure, a guide rail is received and retained within a carriage, to couple a video equipment cradle to a linear side rail of the movable frame in the case of a cradle/movable frame coupling structure, and is slidable within the carriage to enable the video equipment cradle and thus the video equipment to move relative to the movable frame.

1120 1420 A cradle/movable frame coupling structure should remain engaged to couple the cradle and the movable frame together throughout the full range of movement of the cradle. The cradle guide rails,may be of the same length or different lengths. Each cradle guide rail should have a length of at least the range of movement of the cradle plus a dimension of the respective carriage(s) along the direction of movement.

248 248 248 The tilt systemis an example of an optional component that may be provided in some embodiments. An equipment mount that is carried by a video equipment cradle, for example, may provide features such as tilt and/or pan independently of the video equipment cradle, and therefore the tilt systemmight not be provided in some embodiments. A tilt system such as the tilt systemmay, however, potentially provide a greater range of tilt and/or more seamlessly integrated tilt control than a separate equipment mount.

14 17 FIGS.to 15 17 1550 FIGS.and, 16 17 FIGS.and 248 130 1410 242 248 244 1650 1650 1412 244 130 In the embodiment shown in, the tilt systemis part of the video equipment cradle, and may include a further drive system to controllably tilt the video equipment cradle relative to the movable frame. Indesignates a rotatable coupling, that may be or include a bearing for example, between the side memberand the bracket. Similarly, another rotatable coupling between the tilt systemand the bracketis shown atin. The rotatable coupling, in effect, rotatably couples the side memberto the bracket. In such an embodiment, the example video equipment cradleis tiltable relative to the movable frame.

248 242 244 Although tilting of the cradle could potentially be driven by the same drive system that drives movement of the movable frame and the video equipment cradle, an independent tilt drive is likely preferable. The tilt systemmay include a motor and a gear, belt, or other drive assembly, for example, to translate rotation of a rotor of the motor to tilting of the video equipment cradle relative to the brackets,and thus relative to the movable frame.

1414 Other features may also or instead be implemented in conjunction with a video equipment cradle. For example, in some embodiments a video equipment cradle may carry multiple pieces of equipment, such as a video camera on the bottom member, and a teleprompter and/or a display screen at a front of the video equipment cradle and out of a line of sight of the video camera so as not to interfere with operation of the video camera. A teleprompter that is carried at a front of the cradle allows on-air talent to read content while facing in the direction of a camera, and similarly a display screen that is carried at a front of the cradle allows on-air talent to read content and/or view video that is being captured by the camera while facing in the direction of a camera.

1414 1410 1412 1414 1410 1412 1414 14 1418 FIG., Another feature that may be provided in some embodiments is a movable bottom memberthat is movable relative to the side members,. Indesignates a screw drive that engages part of the bottom memberto move the bottom member upward and downward (in the illustrated view) along the side members,. A movable bottom membermay be useful, for example, to re-center video equipment within the movable frame or re-balance the load of video equipment when the video equipment cradle is tilted.

1 FIG. 1 8 FIGS.to 110 120 130 140 A video equipment platform may similarly include other features in some embodiments. With reference again to, the description above focuses primarily on features related to the movable frame, the support structure, and the video equipment cradle.also illustrate a baseupon which the support structure may be mounted in some embodiments.

140 120 120 100 Although the baseis a movable base in some embodiments, the support structureneed not be carried by or otherwise coupled to a movable base. Fixed-base embodiments are also possible. The support structure may be mounted to a structural component such as a wall or a floor, or to a base that is intended to remain fixed during operation of other components of a video equipment platform. A movable base, coupled to the support structureand movable relative to a surface on which the video equipment platformis to be operated, may be preferred for greater versatility and range of motion.

2 FIG. 2 FIG. 140 252 254 252 140 254 illustrates an embodiment of the movable base, which includes two driven wheels, which may be independently driven, and two caster-type wheel sets (one shown atand an opposite identical set, at the rear in the view shown in. The two driven wheelsare located at opposite sides of the base, and the two caster-type wheel setsare also located at opposite sides of the base, to provide four equally-spaced points of support. Other wheel types, including non-driven wheels and/or wheels sets for a manually repositionable base, are possible. Embodiments with more or fewer wheels or wheel sets are possible as well.

120 140 110 120 110 140 140 2 250 FIG., Another feature that may also or instead be provided in some embodiments is a rotatable base mount, which can enable video equipment platform panning. The support structuremay be rotatably coupled to a base, such as the movable base, and be rotatable relative to the base about an axis of rotation that extends through the base. The rotation in this example is relative to a base that is beneath the movable frame. Indesignates a rotatable base mount, which may be or include a bearing for example, that supports the support structureand allows the support structure (and the movable frameand the components coupled thereto) to rotate relative to the base. Although the baseis a movable base, rotation of other components of a video equipment platform relative to a base are not in any way dependent upon a movable base. A rotatable base mount may be implemented in conjunction with a fixed base or a movable base.

250 110 120 130 250 110 120 130 Similar to video equipment cradle tilting as described at least above, a rotatable base mountis an optional component that may be provided in some embodiments. An equipment mount that is carried by a video equipment cradle, for example, may provide for panning independently of the video equipment cradle. However, a rotatable mount may provide a greater range of panning. For example, panning on a separate equipment mount is limited due to physical interference and/or shot interference of one or more of the movable frame, the support structure, and the video equipment cradle. With a rotatable base mount such as the example mount, the movable frame, the support structure, and the video equipment cradlepan with the video equipment, avoiding such interference over a greater range of panning.

140 120 A further drive system, which may be referred to as a pan drive or panning drive for example, may be provided in the base, on the support structure, or partially in the base and partially on the support structure, to controllably rotate the support structure relative to the base. Such a drive system may include a drive motor or other actuator, with a suitable coupling such as a gear, belt, or other drive assembly, to translate rotor rotation or actuator motion into rotation of the support structure.

18 FIG. 1800 1800 100 is an isometric view of another example video equipment platform, with additional components installed. The example video equipment platformmay otherwise be the same as or substantially the same as the example video equipmentdescribed at least above.

18 FIG. 18 FIG. 1812 1814 1810 1810 1812 1814 1810 1812 1814 The additional components illustrated ininclude a housing, with components,, partially covering the support structure, and a housingpartially covering the movable frame. As shown, the housingpartially covering the movable frame is sized and arranged to be partially received within and move partially within the housing (with components,) that partially covers the support structure. In the view shown in, the housingis mounted to the movable frame and therefore moves with the movable frame, translating up and down partially within the housing components,, as the movable frame is moved up and down.

1816 1818 A base housing with housing components,at least partially covers the base.

260 262 1810 110 2 FIG. A housing or housing component may be mounted to a video equipment platform in any of various ways. Brackets,are shown in, to provide an example of how the housingmay be mounted to the movable frame. Other types of housing mounts or connections are possible, and the present disclosure is not in any way limited to a particular type of housing mount.

1810 1812 1814 1830 1800 1816 1818 In general, parts of a video equipment platform may be at least partially covered by housings or housing components that are sized and arranged so as to avoid interference with movement during operation of the video equipment platform. The housing, for example, is mounted to and movable with the movable frame so that the movable frame can be extended and retracted during operation. The support structure housing, including the housing components,in the example shown, is mounted to the support structure so that it remains in place covering the support structure but does not impede movement of the movable frame or the video equipment cradleduring operation of the video equipment platform. The base housing, which includes the housing components,, is mounted to the base but does not interfere with rotation of the support structure in the case of a rotatable mount between the base and the support structure, and does not extend all the way to a surface on which the video equipment platform is to operate in the case of a movable base.

1822 1810 1822 1822 1810 1830 1832 Elementis a window or opening in the housing. The window, and a counterpart window opposite the windowat the other side of the housing, allow the video equipment mountand the camerato be moved relative to the movable frame during operation.

1824 1812 18 FIG. Housings, housing components, or at least parts thereof, are preferably removable to provide access to internal parts of a video equipment platform. As an example,indesignates a removable access panel through which the support structure and the movable frame are accessible. Such a panel may also or instead be provided in the housing component, and/or in other housings or housing components. Housings or housing components may also or instead be removable for greater access as needed.

1810 1800 1840 1840 1846 1810 1842 1844 1844 1842 1810 1840 1830 1832 1840 1840 1830 1832 In some embodiments, a top surface of the housingis a flat or contoured finished surface that is intended to improve esthetics of a video equipment platform. In the example shown, however, the video equipment platformincludes a light system. The light systemis mounted on and carried by the top surfaceof the housing, and includes a light sourceand a movable mount. The light mountprovides both pan and tilt features for the light sourcein the example shown. The housing, and therefore the light system, moves with the movable frame. The video equipment cradleand the video equipment, however, move relative to the movable frame, and therefore relative to the light system. The light systemmay be controllable independently of movement of the video equipment cradleand the video equipment, or control may be integrated or linked to maintain desired lighting effects that are synchronized with or otherwise related to video equipment movement.

The embodiments described above are primarily in the context of video equipment platforms. Other embodiments, including method embodiments, are also contemplated.

19 FIG. 19 FIG. 1900 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method according to an embodiment. The example methodinrelates to manufacturing, assembling, constructing, or otherwise providing a video equipment platform.

1900 1902 1904 1906 1908 The methodinvolves providing a video equipment platform support structure at, providing a movable frame coupled to and movable relative to the support structure at, providing a video equipment cradle, coupled to and movable relative to the movable frame, to carry video equipment from within the movable frame at, and providing a drive system at. The drive system is coupled to the support structure, to the movable frame, and to the video equipment cradle, to move both the movable frame relative to the support structure and the video equipment cradle relative to the movable frame.

19 FIG. 19 FIG. illustrates providing several components of a video equipment platform. Assembly of those components is not separately shown inin order to avoid congestion in the drawing.

1904 1906 1908 In some embodiments, providing a movable frame coupled to and movable relative to the support structure atmay involve coupling the movable frame to the support structure. Similarly, providing a video equipment cradle coupled to the movable frame atmay involve coupling the video equipment cradle to the movable frame. Providing a drive system atmay involve coupling the drive system to the support structure, to the movable frame, and to the video equipment cradle.

19 FIG. Although shown as separate operations in, in some embodiments multiple components of a video equipment platform may be provided as an integrated unit or otherwise provided together. For example, the support structure, the movable frame, and the drive system may be provided as an integrated unit, and the video equipment cradle may be a separate part that is coupled to the integrated unit during assembly or at deployment of a platform. Parts or components may also or instead be provided differently than shown. For example, parts of the support structure may be provided for assembly, to thereby provide the support structure.

19 FIG. 1 18 FIGS.to The components referenced inmay be provided in any of various forms, examples of which are described at least above with reference to.

providing the movable frame may involve providing a movable frame that includes linear side rails that are opposed to each other and linear end rails that are opposed to each other and extend between ends of the linear side rails; providing the support structure may involve providing a support structure that includes linear side rails that are opposed to each other and are respectively coupled to the linear side rails of the movable frame; a method may involve providing a respective coupling structure coupling each of the linear side rails of the support structure to a respective one of the linear side rails of the movable frame, and the providing may involve coupling each coupling structure to a respective one of the linear side of the support structure and a respective one of the linear side rails of the movable frame; providing a respective coupling structure may involve providing a coupling structure that includes a first component coupled to a respective one of the linear side rails of the support structure and a second component coupled to a respective one of the linear side rails of the movable frame, and the providing may involve coupling the first component to the respective one of the linear side rails of the support structure and coupling the second component to a respective one of the linear side rails of the movable frame; one of the first component and the second component may be received and retained within the other of the first component and the second component to couple the respective one of the linear side rails of the support structure to the respective one of the linear side rails of the movable frame, and be slidable within the other of the first component and the second component to enable the movable frame to move relative to the support structure; the video equipment cradle may be coupled to each of the linear side rails of the movable frame, and a method may involve coupling the video equipment cradle to each of the linear side rails of the movable frame; providing the drive system may involve providing a drive system that includes: a belt drive at a first end of the linear side rails of the movable frame, a belt idler at a second end of the linear side rails of the movable frame, and a belt extending between the belt drive and the belt idler and coupled to the support structure and to the video equipment cradle, and the providing may involve coupling the belt drive to the movable frame at a first end of the linear side rails of the movable frame, coupling the belt idler to the movable frame at a second end of the linear side rails of the movable frame, and extending the belt between the belt drive and the belt idler and coupling the belt to the support structure and to the video equipment cradle; the belt drive may include a drive motor mounted to the movable frame, and providing the drive system may include providing the drive motor mounted to the movable frame; providing the drive motor may involve mounting or otherwise coupling the drive motor to the movable frame; the belt drive may include a respective drive pulley at the first end of each of the linear side rails of the movable frame, in which case providing the drive system involves providing a belt drive that includes a respective drive pulley at the first end of each of the linear side rails of the movable frame, which may involve mounting or otherwise coupling a respective drive pulley to the movable frame at the first end of each of the linear side rails of the movable frame; the belt idler may include a respective idler pulley at the second end of each of the linear side rails of the movable frame, in which case providing the drive system involves providing a belt drive that includes a respective idler pulley at the second end of each of the linear side rails of the movable frame, which may involve mounting or otherwise coupling a respective idler pulley to the movable frame at the second end of each of the linear side rails of the movable frame; the belt may extend between one of the drive pulleys at the first end and one of the idler pulleys at the second end of one of the linear side rails of the movable frame; the belt drive may further include a second belt that extends between one of the drive pulleys at the first end and one of the idler pulleys and the second end of the other of the linear side rails of the movable frame, and providing the drive system may involve providing such a belt drive that further includes a second belt that extends between one of the drive pulleys at the first end and one of the idler pulleys and the second end of the other of the linear side rails of the movable frame, which may involve extending the second belt that between one of the drive pulleys at the first end and one of the idler pulleys and the second end of the other of the linear side rails of the movable frame; the video equipment platform may also include a movable base coupled to the support structure and movable relative to a surface on which the video equipment platform is to be operated, in which case a method may involve providing a movable base coupled to the support structure and movable relative to a surface on which the video equipment platform is to be operated, which may involve coupling the movable base to the support structure; the support structure may be rotatably coupled to the movable base, and a method may involve rotatably coupling the support structure to the movable base, so that the support structure is rotatable relative to the base about an axis of rotation that extends through the base; the video equipment cradle may include a further drive system to controllably tilt the video equipment cradle relative to the movable frame, and a method may involve providing a further drive system to controllably tilt the video equipment cradle relative to the movable frame; the video equipment platform may include one or more housings, and a method may involve providing a housing partially covering the support structure and a housing partially covering the movable frame, for example, with the housing partially covering the movable frame sized and arranged to be partially received within and to move partially within the housing partially covering the support structure; providing the housings may involve sizing and arranging the housing partially covering the movable frame to be partially received within and to move partially within the housing partially covering the support structure. For example, any one or more of the following features may be provided or supported in a method embodiment:

1 18 FIGS.to Other components may also or instead be provided (which may involve coupling, mounting, or otherwise assembling each component with other components), and/or may be provided in different ways. For example, a method may involve providing components with features that are described above with reference to.

1900 More generally, the methodis intended solely for illustrative purposes. Other embodiments could include fewer, additional, and/or different operations, performed in a similar or different order than shown, and operations could also or instead be performed in any of various ways. For example, any or all of the providing operations could involve manufacturing, purchasing, or otherwise acquiring the provided components.

20 FIG. 20 FIG. 2000 2002 2000 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method according to another embodiment. The example methodinrelates to operation or use of a video equipment platform. The method involves, as shown at, mounting video equipment to a video equipment cradle. The video equipment cradle is coupled to and movable relative to a movable frame of a video equipment platform, the video equipment cradle carries the video equipment from within the movable frame, and the movable frame coupled to and movable relative to a support structure of the video equipment platform. The example methodalso involves controlling a drive system that is coupled to the support structure, to the movable frame, and to the video equipment cradle, to move both the movable frame relative to the support structure and the video equipment cradle relative to the movable frame.

2004 2000 The controlling at, and other control features, may be implemented using a controller and a control interface that enables communication with controllable components of the video equipment platform. In the example method, the drive system is a controllable component. Other controllable components may be controllable through the same control interface and controller. Multiple control interfaces may be provided in other embodiments, and multiple controllers may also or instead be provided. It is expected, however, that a single controller, with one or more control interfaces, may be preferred. A controller could be part of the video equipment platform, or provided separately for remote control.

2000 2000 1 18 FIGS.to The methodis intended solely for illustrative purposes. Other embodiments may include fewer, additional, and/or different operations, performed in a similar or different order than shown. Operations could also or instead be performed in any of various ways. Variations of the methodcould be or become apparent, for example, from the disclosure of platform embodiments with reference to.

the movable frame may include linear side rails that are opposed to each other and linear end rails that are opposed to each other and extend between ends of the linear side rails; the support structure may include linear side rails that are opposed to each other and are respectively coupled to the linear side rails of the movable frame; the video equipment platform may include a respective coupling structure coupling each of the linear side rails of the support structure to a respective one of the linear side rails of the movable frame; each coupling structure may include: a first component coupled to a respective one of the linear side rails of the support structure, and a second component coupled to a respective one of the linear side rails of the movable frame, with one of the first component and the second component being received and retained within the other of the first component and the second component to couple the respective one of the linear side rails of the support structure to the respective one of the linear side rails of the movable frame, and being slidable within the other of the first component and the second component to enable the movable frame to move relative to the support structure; the video equipment cradle may be coupled to each of the linear side rails of the movable frame; the drive system may include: a belt drive at a first end of the linear side rails of the movable frame; a belt idler at a second end of the linear side rails of the movable frame; and a belt extending between the belt drive and the belt idler and coupled to the support structure and to the video equipment cradle, in which case controlling the drive system may involve controlling the belt drive; the belt drive may include a drive motor mounted to the movable frame, in which case controlling the drive system may involve controlling the drive motor; the belt drive may include a respective drive pulley at the first end of each of the linear side rails of the movable frame; the belt idler may include a respective idler pulley at the second end of each of the linear side rails of the movable frame; the belt may extend between one of the drive pulleys at the first end and one of the idler pulleys at the second end of one of the linear side rails of the movable frame; the belt drive may further include a second belt that extends between one of the drive pulleys at the first end and one of the idler pulleys and the second end of the other of the linear side rails of the movable frame; the video equipment platform may further include: a movable base coupled to the support structure and movable relative to a surface on which the video equipment platform is to be operated, in which case a method may involve controlling the movable base to move the video equipment platform relative to the surface; the support structure may be rotatably coupled to the movable base and be rotatable relative to the base about an axis of rotation that extends through the base, in which case a method may involve controlling rotation of the support structure relative to the base about the axis of rotation that extends through the base; the video equipment cradle may include a further drive system to controllably tilt the video equipment cradle relative to the movable frame, in which case a method may involve controlling the further drive system to tilt the video equipment cradle relative to the movable frame; the video equipment platform may further include: a housing partially covering the support structure and a housing partially covering the movable frame, with the housing partially covering the movable frame being sized and arranged to be partially received within and to move partially within the housing partially covering the support structure. The following are examples of features disclosed herein, any one or more of which may be provided or supported in other method embodiments:

Embodiments herein may provide a large range of vertical camera motion whilst still being in a realistic package size, for transportation and commissioning for example, relative to other video equipment platform or lift designs.

A translating frame video equipment platform provides a compact operating footprint with a wide range of heights. Payload size and weight may vary between different applications or deployments, but as an example a video equipment platform may be designed to handle a payload weight of approximately 37 kg in an embodiment. A video equipment platform is neither intended nor expected to handle heavy weights.

What has been described is merely illustrative of the application of principles of embodiments of the present disclosure. Other arrangements and methods can be implemented by those skilled in the art.

For example, divisions of functions referenced herein are intended solely for illustrative purposes. Embodiments may be implemented with fewer, additional, and/or different components than those explicitly shown or otherwise referenced herein.

In addition, although described primarily in the context of apparatus, other implementations are also contemplated, in the form of methods and instructions stored on one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media, for example.